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Difficulty defecating during pregnancy can occur at the beginning and end of pregnancy. So is it normal to have difficulty defecating during pregnancy? What are the causes and how to overcome them?
According to the American Pregnancy Association (APA), difficulty defecating or constipation during pregnancy is a common problem. Nearly half of pregnant women experience constipation.
“Constipation occurs when there is pain or discomfort in the stomach, difficult and infrequent bowel movements, and hard stools,” wrote the APA on its official website.
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According to a specialist in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dr. Alexander Mukti, Sp.OG, constipation is often known as constipation. Usually, this condition is characterized by less frequent bowel movements within a week.
“In pregnant women, constipation is characterized by not being able to defecate or as if something is blocking you when defecating. Constipation usually occurs when the frequency of defecating is less than 3 times a week or 2-3 days,” said Alex to HaiBunda, some time ago.
Causes of difficulty defecating during pregnancy
Alex said that having difficulty defecating or constipation during pregnancy is normal. There are several causes of difficulty defecating during pregnancy, namely:
1. Hormonal factors
The cause of difficulty defecating during pregnancy can be due to an increase in pregnancy hormones. These hormonal factors can slow down the work of the intestines, making it difficult to expel feces.
“At the beginning of pregnancy, especially in the first trimester, constipation is caused by hormones that slow down bowel movements. An increase in the hormone progesterone will relax the smooth muscles throughout the body. That’s why parts of the digestive tract also slow down,” said Alex.
2. The growing uterus
Apart from early pregnancy, difficulty defecating is also usually experienced by pregnant women in the final trimester. The cause is due to obstruction from bowel movements which are pushed by the increasingly large intestine.
“Anatomically, the uterus is located in front of the intestine or rectum which is the digestive tract,” said Alex.
3. Unhealthy lifestyle
Constipation can also occur because mothers do not live a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy. For example, rarely eat fiber foods and don’t drink enough.
Apart from diet, the habit of rarely exercising can also trigger difficulty defecating during pregnancy. If not treated, constipation can cause discomfort and interfere with activities.
4. Consuming too much iron supplements
Iron obtained from prenatal vitamins is good to consume during pregnancy. Iron is needed to form hemoglobin, whose function is to carry oxygen throughout the body.
Even though it’s good, consuming high doses of iron can cause constipation, Mother. Too much iron can make it difficult for bacteria in the gut to break down food. The condition can get worse if you don’t drink enough water.
Illustration of a Pregnant Woman/ Photo: Getty Images/iStockphoto/Makidotvn
How to overcome difficulty defecating during pregnancy
Difficulty defecating during pregnancy can be overcome in several ways, namely:
1. Consume fibrous foods
Fiber foods can make defecation easier during pregnancy. The fiber in the food you consume can thin the stool so that it is easily excreted by the body.
There are many types of fiber foods that can be consumed during pregnancy, such as papaya and dragon fruit. Apart from fruit, fiber can also be obtained from vegetables.
2. Drink enough fluids
Adequate fluid intake during pregnancy is highly recommended to prevent difficulty defecating. Apart from water, there are many choices of fluid sources from food that can meet your needs.
Consuming lots of fluids can facilitate the movement of food through the intestines. In the end, constipation can be prevented and bowel movements can be normal.
3. Increase physical activity
One indication of difficulty defecating is lack of activity. During pregnancy, pregnant women are encouraged to do physical activity, such as light exercise by walking or jogging.
If you don’t feel tired, you can still do these sports activities regularly. If you are worried about the condition of the fetus, try consulting a doctor about safe physical activity options.
4. Consume probiotics
Foods containing probiotics such as yogurt can also be consumed to treat constipation in pregnant women. Yogurt generally contains the probiotic Acidophilus, which is an active culture that can stimulate intestinal bacteria to break down food properly. Choose yogurt with a thick texture because it can make it easier to defecate.
Apart from yogurt, mothers can also get probiotics in the form of capsule supplements, chewable tablets or powder. Try consulting a doctor first before choosing probiotic supplements to treat constipation.
5. Avoid foods that trigger constipation
There are several foods that need to be avoided to prevent constipation from getting worse. Following are the foods in question:
Milk: Some doctors think that the sugar content in milk is difficult for the body to digest, so it can cause difficulty defecating. High-fat foods: High-fat foods are also difficult for the body to digest and need to be avoided if you experience constipation. Salty foods: Salty foods such as junk food generally contain saturated fats with high salt levels, so they can cause dry stools that are difficult to pass. Excessive consumption of wheat and flour: Consumption of these foods can also cause constipation. If you want to eat this, don’t forget to drink water.
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(ank/rap)